American Bulldog Size & Weight Chart

American Bulldogs are one of the stockiest dogs you’ll ever see. But how big is this breed? Descended from the English Bulldog, these large dogs were bred as working farm dogs. As working dogs, American Bulldogs have always been energetic dogs and are considered a generally healthy size and breed.

In this article, we’ll help you understand everything about the American Bulldog’s size and how to keep them in peak condition.

How Big Is an American Bulldog Dog?

Wondering about the size of this breed? American Bulldogs are big! The American Kennel Club (AKC) considers American Bulldogs to be large breed dogs, standing between 50 to 63 cm tall and weighing between 27 kg all the way to 45 kg.

• The average female American Bulldog weighs between 27 to 36 kg and reaches a height of 50 to 58 cm at the withers.
• The average male American Bulldog weighs between 34 to 45 kg and stands between 55 to 63.5 cm at the withers.

Their weight comes from them having a particularly muscular build. While both are descendants of the old English Bulldog, an American Bulldog and an American Pit Bull Terrier are not to be confused.

At What Age Does an American Bulldog Reach Its Full Size?

American Bulldog puppies should reach their full size between 12 and 14 months. Remember that dogs will not hit milestones by a specific time frame, but every dog will age and grow at its own pace.

What Is the Ideal Weight For an American Bulldog?

Like many other dog breeds, American Bulldogs are prone to certain health risks when overweight. But both hip and elbow dysplasia can be prevented by keeping your dog healthy and making sure it gets sufficient exercise. Bulldogs should weigh between 27-50 kg.

Unlike many dog breeds, American Bulldogs vary incredibly in size. There is no ideal size range that your dog has to fall in to be considered healthy. However, you’ll need to look out for excessive weight gain or inability to gain weight.

Consult your veterinarian to see what your dog should weigh according to their height and build.

How to make sure American bulldog dog isn’t overweight

Training American Bulldogs is one of the best ways to keep your dog active and healthy. If your dog gets the right amount of exercise and eats appropriate food, your concerns over health problems will be significantly reduced.

American Bulldogs are muscular, meaning they will most likely look bigger than some slimmer dog breeds, but a lot of their size is due to their strength. A good way to check is to look at and feel their ribs. A healthy dog shouldn’t have ribs that are too prominent, but they should be relatively easy to feel as well.

If you are concerned that your dog is overweight, dog sports are an excellent way to keep your dog active while socialising. When interacting with other animals, your dog will be active and less likely to be sedentary. Be sure to begin socialising your American Bulldog puppy from a young age so they don’t develop aggressive tendencies towards other pets.

Ensuring Your American Bulldog Grows Properly

As a pet owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure you take every opportunity to make sure your American Bulldog grows properly. Here are some things to do to help them grow:

1. Involve them in obedience training and sports to keep them active to promote healthy muscle and tissue development.
2. A balanced and nutritious diet is one of the first steps towards healthy, normal growth for your dog.
3. Buy them from a reputable breeder. In order to eliminate the possibilities of genetic disorders, like hip dysplasia, that could impact the well-being of your dog, ensure that you are getting a Bulldog from a trusted, registered breeder and that they are on the dog registry. By finding a breeder through the ANKC, you can ensure that your dog has the necessary tests and vaccinations before you adopt it to ensure a reduced risk of problems in the future.

FAQs

Is an American Bulldog the same breed as a Pit Bull?

No. American Bulldogs are taller, heavier, and less aggressive in nature than Pit Bull Terriers despite having a stronger bite force than many other dogs.

A Bulldog is an affectionate dog, a brilliant family pet, and they are friendly dogs as long as they have been properly socialised as puppies.

Their life expectancy is also different, with Pit Bulls living an average of two years longer than American Bulldogs.

Is an American Bulldog a large or giant breed?

According to the American Canine Registry, American bulldogs are large; it is not a giant breed.

Do American bulldogs require a lot of space?

Yes. This is a large dog, even at the lower end of the size and weight scale. They are energetic working dogs and need a lot of space to run and spend some of their energy. This breed will not do well in an apartment or a house with a small garden.

Final Thoughts on American bulldog size & weight

These weighty, strong dogs are some of the best companions for families that want a large dog that they can be affectionate with and will want to be part of the family activities. For pet owners with other animals, try and bring a well-socialised Bulldog into your home if you are not getting a puppy, as an antisocial Bulldog could be aggressive.